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Reviewed by Mary Clarke for Readers' Favorite
The Tears of Tantalus by Andrew Someone is a haunting, emotional novel that shows the consequences of uncontrolled desires. An unnamed protagonist is attracted to women outside his marriage. He begins to develop feelings for his coworker, Sami, who seems to have feelings for him too. His obsession destroys his marriage with Francesca, and unfortunately, his relationship with Sami doesn't last either. He ends up getting involved with a woman named Greta, who manipulates and assaults him. His way of life begins to haunt him, causing his life to fall apart; he starts feeling guilty, quits his job, and separates himself from people. He decides to escape to a remote mountain town where he meets a strange group connected to a supernatural being named Serafina, who controls desires.
The story portrays the protagonist as a flawed man, making him feel real but also frustrating because of his bad choices. The supernatural element was one that I didn't see coming, although I loved it. The writing style was full of emotion and very thoughtful. I loved how the author did not try to hide the protagonist's bad sides, showing clearly how he is selfish, unsure of what he wants, and keeps making the same mistakes again. He is not really a likable character, but I could feel his struggles to make a difference. The Tears of Tantalus by Andrew Someone shows how someone can love their partner and still make choices that hurt them. It covers themes of guilt, loneliness, and the need to feel wanted. Greta was an interesting and complex character. She seems to be both a victim and a predator, which makes her personality creepy and full of tension. I recommend The Tears of Tantalus to adults who enjoy dark, emotional stories about human flaws.
